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HB1735 • 2026

Study on Dyslexia among inmates; authorize MDOC to conduct.

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF INMATES UNDER ITS JURISDICTION TO DETERMINE THE PREVALENCE OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DYSLEXIA AND MAKE A REPORT THEREON TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Crime Privacy
Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Byrd
Last action
2026-02-03
Official status
Dead
Effective date
July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Study on Dyslexia among Inmates

This bill requires the Mississippi Department of Corrections to study inmates for dyslexia and report findings to the Legislature.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires MDOC to conduct a comprehensive study of inmates under its jurisdiction to determine how many have dyslexia.
  • Includes screening for dyslexia using approved methods, collecting demographic data, and analyzing educational attainment and recidivism rates.
  • Protects the privacy of inmate information collected during the study.
  • Requires MDOC to submit a report with findings and recommendations by December 31, 2026.
  • Allows MDOC to seek funding from grants or other sources for the study.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Mississippi Department of Corrections
  • Inmates in Mississippi prisons

Terms To Know

Dyslexia
A learning disorder that affects reading and writing skills.
Recidivism rates
The rate at which people who have been released from prison are arrested again for a crime.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This bill did not pass during the session.
  • It is unclear how many inmates will participate in the study or if all will opt-in.
  • Funding and partnerships with outside organizations may be needed but are not guaranteed.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/03 (H) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/19 (H) Referred To Corrections

Official Summary Text

Study on Dyslexia among inmates; authorize MDOC to conduct.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
H. B. No. 1735 *HR43/R2281* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR43/R2281
PAGE 1 (OM\KP)

To: Corrections
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Byrd

HOUSE BILL NO. 1735

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF 1
CORRECTIONS TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF INMATES UNDER ITS 2
JURISDICTION TO DETERMINE THE PREVALENCE OF INDIVIDUALS WITH 3
DYSLEXIA AND MAKE A REPORT THEREON TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR 4
RELATED PURPOSES. 5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:6
SECTION 1. Study on Dyslexia among inmates. (1) The 7
Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) shall conduct a 8
comprehensive study of inmates under its jurisdiction to determine 9
the prevalence of individuals with dyslexia. 10
(2) The study shall include, but not be limited to: 11
(a) Screening for dyslexia using evidence-based tools 12
and methods approved by qualified experts in the field of dyslexia 13
diagnosis and education. 14
(b) Collection of demographic and educational 15
background data, including the inmate's age, gender, race and 16
prior access to educational resources, provided that such data is 17
collected in a manner that protects individual privacy. 18
H. B. No. 1735 *HR43/R2281* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R2281
PAGE 2 (OM\KP)

(c) An analysis of how dyslexia correlates with 19
educational attainment, disciplinary history and recidivism rates. 20
SECTION 2. Protection of confidential information. (1) All 21
data collected pursuant to this study shall comply with the 22
requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and 23
Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, the Family Educational Rights 24
and Privacy Act (FERPA), and any other applicable federal or state 25
laws regarding the privacy and confidentiality of health and 26
educational records. 27
(2) Inmates shall be informed of their rights and shall have 28
the opportunity to opt out of participation in the study without 29
fear of reprisal or negative consequences. 30
SECTION 3. Report to the Legislature. (1) The Mississippi 31
Department of Corrections shall compile the findings of the study 32
and submit a report to the Legislature no later than December 31, 33
2026. 34
(2) The report shall include: 35
(a) The prevalence of dyslexia among inmates under the 36
jurisdiction of the MDOC. 37
(b) Demographic data and trends associated with the 38
findings, presented in aggregate form. 39
(c) Recommendations for programs, policies or 40
legislation to address the needs of inmates with dyslexia and 41
improve educational and rehabilitation outcomes. 42
H. B. No. 1735 *HR43/R2281* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R2281
PAGE 3 (OM\KP)
ST: Study on Dyslexia among inmates; authorize
MDOC to conduct.
SECTION 4. Implementation and funding. (1) The Mississippi 43
Department of Corrections may seek grants or other funding sources 44
to assist with the costs of conducting the study. 45
(2) The MDOC is authorized to partner with educational 46
institutions, nonprofit organizations or other qualified entities 47
with expertise in dyslexia to conduct the study. 48
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from 49
and after July 1, 2026. 50